Three applicants will be selected by the Tech COMETS’ steering committee to participate in the inaugural class. Those hoping to submit applications for the program must do so by Monday at midnight. Applications may be submitted right from Tech COMETS’ website.

Long Island Software and Technology Network President Peter Goldsmith, who came up with the idea for the program in July, said the program has already generated about two dozen applicants. The steering committee will then whittle the pile down to seven or eight before seeing presentations in November from the finalists. The three selected start-ups will be announced in December.

Along with free rent for six months at the Long Island Tech Mall, Tech COMETS’ participants will receive mentoring, legal and accounting guidance and business plan development. In total, Goldsmith said the program equates to a $50,000-plus package for the new businesses.